pike¹ (pīk)
n.
A long spear formerly used by infantry.

tr.v., piked, pik·ing, pikes.
To attack or pierce with a pike.

[French pique, from Old French, from piquer, to prick. See pique.]

piked piked adj.

pike² (pīk)
n., pl., pike, or pikes.

1. A freshwater game and food fish (Esox lucius) of the Northern Hemisphere that has a long snout and attains a length of over 1.2 meters (4 feet). Also called northern pike.
2. Any of various similar or related fishes.

[Middle English, perhaps from Old English pīc, sharp point (from its shape).]

pike³ (pīk)
n.

1. A turnpike.
2. 1. A tollgate on a turnpike.
   2. A toll paid.

intr.v., piked, pik·ing, pikes.
To move quickly.

idiom:

come down the pike Slang.

1. To come into prominence: "a policy . . . allowing for little flexibility if an important new singer comes down the pike" (Christian Science Monitor).

[Short for TURNPIKE.]

pike⁴ (pīk)
n. Chiefly British
A hill with a pointed summit.

[Middle English, possibly of Scandinavian origin.]

pike⁵ (pīk)
n.
A spike or sharp point, as on the tip of a spear.

[Middle English, from Old English pīc.]

pike⁶ (pīk)
n.
A mid-air position in sports such as diving and gymnastics in which the athlete bends to touch the feet or grab the calves or back of the thighs while keeping the legs together and straight.

[Perhaps from PIKE².]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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